NSW Opposition leader John Robertson has called on the Government to hold another debate on the recent changes to Workers Compensation law. One change that has received a firestorm of coverage is the cuts to compensation payments to public service staff who sustain injuries on their way to and from their jobs.
Policemen and firefighters have been exempted from this change. Many other professionals who serve the public, such as nurses, have also put forward their case for an exemption.
The Opposition leader is trying to get at least 10,000 signatures on a petition, which would be enough to force another debate.
Last year, the NSW Government promised to debate any matters raised where a petition was submitted to parliament that had at least 10,000 signatures.
If another debate is held, Robertson has stated that he wants the O'Farrell government to stand up and justify the changes.
On a recent visit to Newcastle, Robertson launched Labor's campaign against the O'Farrell Government's cuts to workers' compensation and vowed to Robertson vowed to “fight the government on the matter all the way to the 2015 election.”
The changes to WorkCover were passed into law late last month amid fierce opposition from trade and labour unions. Besides cutting claims over journeys to and from work, the changes also included capping benefits by putting a one-year cap on the payment of medical costs after an employee returns to work.
The Government’s stated reason for move was that WorkCover changes were necessary to help plug a $4 billion deficit in the scheme.
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[This article first appeared on the Safe to Work website, also published by Reed Business Information.]